Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-08-05
APecnliar Tragedy.


lage of Rawlings, Allegany county,
Md, one day last week, aud later inves-
tigation into the affair reveals features
almost unparalleled. Henry Spencer
shot and instantly kill ID Scott Dawson,
and this is the reason the murderer gives
for the deed: 81 was born and raised,'
said Spencer, "near Rawlings, and was
26 years ola the 18th of last October.
Rachel V. Dawson, only daughter OF
James Dawson, of this county, and L
grew up together. We were school
mates, and always fond of each other.
When was Is and she was 16 years old,
Scott Dawson attempted to outrageously
assault her, beating and injuring her
terribly. He was sentenced to the pen
itentiary for six years ana served most
of his time. swore | would kill him
for this deed; but, as he was in the
hands of the law, and | was not yet
married to Rachel, put it off, but al
ways meant to get even for the injuries
to my sweetheart. | married Rachel in
1882. We lived first in Keyser, then
moved to Rawlings, where our only
child was born. The boy died June II,
and his mother July 10Th, 1884. These
losses nearly killed me. 1 was ill for
long time mt RachePs mothers house. In
September, 1884. secured Il position as
brakeman on the second division OF the
Baltimore & Ohio, and made my home
at Martinsburg, where | stayed until
1855. While living in Martinsburg, l
was tried for taking money from Lee
Montgomery, but was acquitted. After
this | returned 10 Rawlings. On the
evening of the day of the murder went
out to kill Scott and avenge Rachel. l
walked slowly, and it was about four
o'clock when | came TO SCOTS house.
Scott was standing at the window next
to the stream inside the house. | spoke
to both of them, as this was the first
time | had seen them since March.
Scott asked me how was, and told
him | was not feeling well, and that |
wanted to talk to him. He came out of
the house, and we walked out towards
the road. | did not want to shoot him
in sight of his wife. Scott and talked
quietly about anything till we reached
the road. | stopped in front of him,
and, looking him square in the face,
said:
"Scott, do you recOllect the awful
crime that you served my vile? Why
did you do it, and what was your rea-
SOM
ole replied, well, don't know,
without it was the devil that made me
do it,
"Then | said, Scott, don't you know
you done wrong? Don't you think you
deserve killing?'
"He said, Il don't know but what l
do
81 then said, Scott, that's my bust
ness here to-day, and mean to kill you
before leave the ground, or die here
beside you
"He looked scared and condemned.
| then drew my pistol and shot him in
the left breast. l was close to him and
he fell backwards with groan. AS he
attempted to get up | shot him a second
time in the face, and think he sank
back dead.
81 then cried out aloud, 'if anybody
will come here, l will tell why done
it, No one came, so | walked three
hundred yards towards the station, but
came back to make sure of my revenge.
l saw no one near the body, and, as he
was stone dead, went on TO the station
to give myself up to the proper author
tiles. never told my wife or any one
of my determination to kill Dawson,
but whenever she complained Of her
head hurting her where Scott had hit
her with stones, my Vengeance seemed
to sweeten. | had not been drinking
enough to hurt me yesterday, and bad
my sober and right mind as ever had.
While | regret having to do this crime,
was compelled to do it, and felt | must
have my revenge before | died, and now
| feel better satisfied that it is over. 1t
was hard thing to do, but | had to do
II ~